Dirty South Roubaix: First Race of the Heart and Gravel Comeback Tour—Lessons, Grit, and an Orange Tutu
The first race of the Heart and Gravel Comeback Tour is in the books. I finished the Dirty South Roubaix in Alto Pass, Illinois, a 100km gravel race that happened on March 1. I had no heart issues. I wore the orange tutu and orange antenna to celebrate the fundraising milestone. (We’ve raised $1,000 already […]
From Heart Scare to Comeback: The Journey Behind the Heart and Gravel Tour
The summer of 2023 started off well for training and racing my bike I was holding my own in the challenging group rides with guys half my age on Saturday mornings. When I started to have some irregular heartbeats, sometimes on rides, I thought they were just spasms and ignored them. Even when I was […]
Seven Mental Training Skills to Help You Through a Long Gravel Racing Event
All of us have been there: The moments when we question our life choices that brought us to this really long gravel bike race. Maybe the weather was unusually tough, or there were mechanical issues, we didn’t fuel properly, or maybe the tedium of riding that many hours just got to our head. “Why am […]
Gravel Race Success As A Cyclist Over 50: A Guide to Training, Nutrition, and Recovery Changes
Cyclists over 50 are putting in some of their best performances at long gravel races. While we may not be able to compete with the 20-year-olds at the pointy end, older men and women can complete and excel at gravel races of all lengths. Whether training for improved health, competition, or personal growth, gravel racing […]
Get A Gravel Bike Racing Edge: Why You Should Do Strength Training
One of the most important parts of your training for long gravel races should be strength or resistance training. Strength training not only improves your strength and power, but it can help you prevent injuries and improve your endurance. Anyone who’s done a long gravel race knows we need to have full-body strength to withstand […]
Boost Your Gravel Racing Performance: A Guide to Interval Training
To have your best performance in a long gravel race, it’s important to do intervals throughout the season to maintain and build muscle strength as well as cardiovascular adaptations. Intervals, riding hard for short periods, followed by short periods of recovery, prepare your body – and your mind – for the challenges of gravel racing, […]
Maximizing Your Cycling Training Plan with 80/20: Balancing Endurance, Strength, and Recovery For Your Busy Life
This week in our series on training for a long gravel race, we’re focusing on how to actually create a schedule that can work in your daily lives. It’s important to create a schedule that maximizes your training time. And we need to include endurance training, strength training, and yoga to improve our health, mobility, […]
Maximizing Gravel Race Success: Building a Robust Base with Endurance, Strength, and Yoga
If you are preparing for a long gravel race this year, laying a solid foundation or “base” right now is crucial. This base is not just about logging miles but also about incorporating strength training and yoga to enhance strength and mobility. This is a general preparation phase where you build the capacity to train […]
Mastering Gravel Racing: Five Keys to Preparing for Your Next Event
Any long gravel race, especially 100 miles and longer, is a physical and mental challenge. But that’s why we do it! And there’s a difference between just surviving to finish a long gravel race and finishing one comfortably, maybe even racing it. Preparing your body with good training and good nutrition along with some mental […]
Your Guide to Train and Prepare For Your Best Gravel Race Performance
Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just discovering your love for two wheels, gravel racing offers a thrilling challenge that will push your limits and leave you craving more. But before you hit those dusty trails, it’s crucial to understand what sets gravel racing apart from other cycling disciplines and how to train effectively for […]
